A Comparative Study of Equatorial and Longitudinal Incision Techniques in Microdissection Sperm Extraction for Nonobstructive Azoospermic Patients.

Objective: To compare sperm retrieval rates (SRR), postoperative pain, testicular volume, and postoperative testosterone levels between equatorial incisional microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE) and longitidunal incisional micro-TESE in nonobstructive azoospermic (NOA) patients.

Methods: Fifty NOA patients undergoing equatorial incisional micro-TESE were retrospectively assigned to group 1, while 50 patients undergoing longitidunal incisional micro-TESE were prospectively assigned to group 2. Demographic data, operative time, postoperative pain assessed via the visual analog scale, complications, SRR, and hormonal evaluations (FSH, LH, total testosterone) were recorded. Both groups compared in terms of preoperative demographic and clinical characteristics. SRR, testicular volume and postoperative testosterone, FSH, LH compared between study groups.

Results: SRR were significantly higher in group 2 (62%) compared to group 1 (42%) (P=.045). No significant differences in operative time, visual analog scale pain scores, or postoperative complications were observed between groups. Hormonal evaluations showed a statistically significant decrease in testosterone levels for both groups at 3months, but no significant differences between groups. Testicular volume decreased postoperatively in both groups, with no significant differences between them.

Conclusion: Longitidunal incisional micro-TESE significantly improves SRR without increasing complication rates compared to equatorial incisional micro-TESE. These findings suggest that the longitidunal incisional micro-TESE may be a valuable advancement in the surgical management of NOA patients, warranting further research and clinical validation.